becoming progressively harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming progressively harder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is increasingly difficult over time. Example: "As the project advanced, the challenges we faced were becoming progressively harder to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compulsion becomes progressively harder.

The Economist

That game becomes progressively harder.

The Guardian - Business

But completing the 1040 has become progressively harder.

The New York Times

The game has 27 levels, which become progressively harder.

The New York Times

But those places are becoming increasingly hard to avoid.

The New York Times

Third: this trick is becoming increasingly hard to pull off.

The New Yorker

Health services are becoming increasingly hard to access.

Unicef

"We look at this as the natural progression of venture funds becoming progressively more operational," Bahat said.

TechCrunch

"Not only are people working harder, they are in all likelihood becoming progressively less effective and productive, which reduces their satisfaction in their work," Price writes.

The Guardian

The common people of China were becoming progressively poorer.

Britannica

The Russian side complains that obtaining British visas is becoming progressively more difficult and humiliating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming progressively harder" when you want to emphasize a gradual increase in difficulty over time, making sure the context clearly indicates this progression. For instance, "As the training program continued, the exercises were becoming progressively harder".

Common error

Avoid using "becoming progressively harder" in situations where a simpler phrase like "getting harder" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For instance, prefer "the test got harder" over "the test was becoming progressively harder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming progressively harder" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, often modifying a noun or clause. It indicates a gradual increase in difficulty over time. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becoming progressively harder" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a gradual increase in difficulty over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its usage in various contexts. Although not extremely common, it is suitable for formal, neutral and scientific writing. If you need an alternative, consider options like "increasingly challenging" or "growing more difficult". Be mindful of overusing the phrase in simple contexts where a more direct expression would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging

Emphasizes the challenge aspect more directly.

growing more difficult

A more straightforward and common alternative.

getting tougher

More informal and emphasizes the increasing resistance.

escalating in difficulty

Highlights the step-by-step increase in difficulty.

becoming more complex

Shifts the focus to increasing complexity rather than pure difficulty.

posing a greater challenge

Focuses on the challenge that something presents.

becoming more strenuous

Highlights the increasing effort required.

presenting increasing obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles that make something harder.

becoming increasingly demanding

Highlights the growing demands or requirements.

gaining in intensity

Suggests a gradual increase in strength or force, leading to greater difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming progressively harder" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming progressively harder" to describe a task, challenge, or situation that increases in difficulty over time. For example, "As the game progressed, the levels were "becoming progressively harder"".

What are some alternatives to "becoming progressively harder"?

Alternatives include "increasingly challenging", "growing more difficult", or "getting tougher" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "becoming progressively harder" or "getting harder"?

While both are correct, "becoming progressively harder" emphasizes a gradual increase in difficulty, whereas "getting harder" is a more general statement. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "becoming progressively harder" and "becoming more complex"?

"Becoming progressively harder" refers specifically to an increase in difficulty. "Becoming more complex" refers to an increase in the intricacy or complication of something. Although related, difficulty and complexity are not interchangeable.